Bonding repairs a chipped corner, closes a small gap or covers a discolored spot with tooth-colored composite resin, shaped and hardened right on the tooth. It is done in a single visit, usually without numbing, and is the least expensive cosmetic treatment we offer. We speak English, Spanish and Korean.
What bonding is good for
Composite resin is the same material used for tooth-colored fillings. For bonding, Dr. Kim matches it to your tooth, applies it in layers, shapes it and hardens each layer with a curing light, then polishes it so it blends in.
It is ideal for chipped edges, small gaps between front teeth, a tooth that is slightly short or uneven, covering a stained spot, and protecting an exposed root where the gum has receded. Larger changes or heavily stained teeth usually do better with veneers.
What to expect
Most bonding is finished in under an hour.
1. Shade match and prepare
The resin shade is matched to your tooth. The surface is lightly roughened and a bonding agent is applied; numbing is only needed if the chip is near the nerve.
2. Shape and cure
Resin is added in thin layers, sculpted to the right shape and hardened with a blue curing light.
3. Polish and check
The bonding is trimmed, the bite is checked and the surface is polished to a natural shine. You leave the same day.
You can eat normally right away. Bonding can stain over the years and chip if you bite hard objects, and it is easy to repair or refresh when it does.
Cost and insurance
Bonding that repairs a broken or decayed tooth is often covered by PPO plans and by Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal Dental) as a filling; purely cosmetic bonding usually is not. The fee is per tooth and much lower than a veneer or crown. You get it in writing before we start.
Monthly payment plans are available through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit, subject to credit approval. We give you a written estimate before any treatment.
Dr. Kim's approach
Bonding is the conservative first choice when it can do the job: no lab, no second visit, and almost no tooth removed. Dr. Kim shapes it by hand to match the neighboring teeth, and tells you when a veneer or crown would be the better long-term answer.
Why Happy Light Dental for dental bonding
Done in one visit
Chips and gaps fixed the same day, often during an emergency visit.
Conservative
Little or no enamel removed; the tooth stays almost untouched.
Affordable
The lowest-cost cosmetic repair, with the estimate given first.
Your language
We speak English, Spanish and Korean.
Dental bonding questions
Ready to talk about dental bonding?
Call (310) 644-4648 or book online. Se habla español · 한국어 진료 가능.